DeVos, Zinke, Perry, McMahon get committee approvals

Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee walked out before votes to confirm Tom Price and Steven Mnuchin could be taken.

By

Ed Adamczyk and Doug G. Ware

Betsy DeVos, here testifying before the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions during her confirmation hearing on January 17, was confirmed Tuesday by the committee. Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee walked out of Tuesday's session before a vote on Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga, as health and human services secratary, and Steven Mnuchin as treasury secretary, could be taken. Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI | License Photo

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, nominated for energy secretary, testifies during Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearings on January 19. He won approval from the panel on Tuesday. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mt, testifies before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during his confirmation hearing on January 17. He won committee approval on Tuesday. Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI | License Photo

Linda McMahon listens to opening statements before her Senate Small Business Committee confirmation hearing on January 24. She won approval from the panl on Tuesday. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 16-7 to confirm Perry as energy secretary, with four Democrats joining committee Republicans to approve him. The committee also approved Rep. Zinke, R-Mont., as interior secretary by a vote of 16-6.

Education secretary designate DeVos was narrowly approved 12-11 by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and Linda McMahon won support of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, 18-1.

The nominations of those four candidates will now receive a full Senate vote, and need only a simple majority. All are expected to win confirmation due to the GOP's 52-48 edge in the upper chamber.

Action in the Senate Finance Committee was more contentious, with panel Democrats refusing to attend Tuesday's vote on Rep. Tom Price to head the Department of Health and Human Services, and Steven Mnuchin as treasury secretary. Democrats left the room arguing that Price and Mnuchin misled senators in prior testimony, and that more information was required before a vote could be taken.

In testimony, Price was grilled by Democrats on ethical issues, including his investments in medical companies while in Congress. Mnuchin was pressed on whether, as chief of One West Bank, he treated homeowners facing foreclosure with fairness. Committee Democrats said Tuesday they sought additional information from Price and Mnuchin before a vote is taken; the walkout will delay a vote.